“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
As usual, it was “church unusual” at Dominion Faith Centre (DFC) on Sunday, 31st August 2014. On the eve of the new 2014-2015 school year, when students and their parents were no doubt completing their final preparations for back to school, DFC thought it necessary to play its part in helping the congregation (church members and visitors alike) to prepare for the new academic year by strategically hosting its 2nd Annual Career Sunday with the focus being that of “Education”.
The Back to School 2nd Annual Career Sunday took the form of an in depth interview session hosted by Ms. Rosanna Browne, who was tasked with interviewing three distinguished educators namely: Mrs. Anita Martin-Ruan – Careers Coordinator in the Department of Education, Mr. Colin Johnson – Spanish & French Teacher at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and Mr. Michael Skellekie – new Principal of the Morris Vanterpool Primary School. All three interviewees, with an accumulated total of 86 years of teaching experience between them, had a wealth of information to impart to Pastor and Mrs. Welcome and their attentive and supportive church congregation, who were eager receptacles of the knowledge shared.
The 2nd Annual Career Sunday began with a lively praise and worship session (a norm at DFC) by the church’s melodious worship team. The special Interview Session was preceded with a fitting rendition of the song “Carry Your Candle” by the DFC Choir, who encouraged all the students to carry their spiritual candles and set their classrooms and schools alight with the spiritual fire of Jesus in their hearts.
The discourse of the informative and riveting interview session focused on the following areas: importance of education, personal experiences, spirituality, attitude, motivation, career choices, challenges, technology, relationships, sports and extra-curricular activities, keys to success, personal responsibility, words of wisdom, encouragement and advice to parents and students alike, all with a focus on education and learning.
Quotations shared from Jim Rhon, the late great philosopher and one of the most influential thinkers of our time, included: “Learning is the beginning of spirituality, health and wealth. Searching and learning is where the miracle all begins.”; “If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn’t need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around.”; “Don’t see the mind for more than it is, but don’t misread it for all that it can be.”; and “Sharpen your interest in two major subjects: life and people. You will only gather information from a source if you are interested in it.”
The curtain came down on the 2nd Annual Career Sunday at DFC with the congregation being encouraged to take personal responsibility for their own lives as well as the lives of their children, with a summarizing quote from aforementioned motivational icon, Mr. Jim Rhon: “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of. You don’t have charge of the constellations, but you do have charge of whether you read, develop new skills and take new classes.”
Pastors Dexter and Natasha Welcome and the members of the DFC take this opportunity to thank the hostess, Ms. Rosanna Browne, and the three distinguished educators, Mrs. Anita Martin-Ruan, Mr. Colin Johnson and Mr. Michael Skellekie for what was considered an informative, enlightening, inspiring and most successful Career Sunday.
“Knowledge is to your future what light is to a dark room – you must be able to see where you are going – check your source of knowledge.” William Bailey
– Contributed
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
